Bowling Glove and Wrist Brace with Laser Guide

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace having a laser pointer integrated therein. Each of the glove and the wrist brace includes an index finger section having a compartment on an upper surface thereof. The compartment is configured to store the laser pointer therein. The compartment includes an opening that aligns with a light source disposed on a front end of the laser pointer such that the laser beam from the light source of the laser pointer can shine therethrough. In operation, a bowler can utilize the laser beam to draw an imaginary line between a bowling ball and bowling pins to practice his or her arm swing and to visualize the travel line of the bowling ball after releasing it.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a bowling glove or a brace comprising means to view and analyze a trajectory of a bowling ball via laser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A bowler must have a consistent arm swing and a firm wrist and hand motion to achieve a good score in bowling. In practicing a proper arm swing and body position, it is also important to aim properly at a pin-deck. Generally, bowlers refer to the guide marks in the form of dots, arrows, and rangefinders on the lane boards to set up their ball along a preferred trajectory, whereby the guide marks are primarily intended for alignment purposes when targeting a given pin combination on the pin-deck.

When referring to the guide marks, however, it is difficult to tell whether the bowler's arm swing would be properly aligned with the guide marks and the given pin combination. Thus, bowlers often estimate the trajectory of the bowling ball when practicing their arm swing. In this regard, the bowlers resort to using a trial and error method to adjust their arm swing and body position to improve their bowling skills. Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for a device that can facilitate bowlers in visualizing and analyzing their arm swing and body position, as well as the trajectory of a released bowling ball during bowling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices for improving bowling skills now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace that includes a laser guide. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a bowling glove. The glove includes an index finger section having a compartment on an upper surface thereof. The compartment is configured to store a laser pointer therein. In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a bowling wrist brace. The bowling wrist brace includes a first section that is configured to be worn over the back of a wearer's hand. The first section includes an index finger section that extends from one end thereof. Similar to the first embodiment, the index finger section comprises a compartment for receiving a laser pointer therein.

In either embodiment, the compartment on the index finger section comprises an opening for allowing a laser beam from the laser pointer to shine therethrough. In this way, the present invention allows a bowler to use the laser beam to draw an imaginary line between a bowling ball and bowling pins to improve the bowler's visualization of the travel line of the bowling ball after releasing it.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bowling glove that having a laser pointer integral thereto.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bowling wrist brace having a laser pointer integral thereto.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bowling glove or a brace that resembles conventional bowing gloves and braces.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a laser pointer that can be removably attached to the bowling glove and brace of the present invention.

A final object of the present invention to provide a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and commensurate with durability.

In the light of the foregoing, these and other objects are accomplished in accordance of the principles of the present invention, wherein the novelty of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a view of a laser pointer being inserted into the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards a bowling glove or a brace with a laser guide. For purposes of clarity, and not by way of limitation, illustrative views of the present bowling glove or brace are described with references made to the above-identified figures. Various modifications obvious to one skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, there are shown views of a first embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment comprises a bowling glove 21 designed for a right-handed person, but the glove may also be designed for left-handed person in other embodiments. The glove 21 comprises a palm section 23 with an index finger section 27, a middle finger section 26, a ring finger section 27, and a little finger section 24 extending upward therefrom. Each of the middle finger section 26 and the ring finger section 27 comprises an opening 38, 39 at terminal ends thereof so as to allow a wearer's middle finger and ring finger to extend therethrough.

In this way, the wearer can insert his or her middle finger and ring finger in gripping holes of a bowling ball while wearing the glove 21. Similarly, the inner side of the palm section 23 includes a thumbhole 37 for receiving the wearer's thumb therethrough. Exposing the thumb allows the wearer to prevent his or her middle and ring fingers from dislodging from the gripping holes of the bowling ball while maintaining control of the bowling ball.

Each of the index finger section 27 and the little finger section 24 comprises a closed top portion. In this regard, the wearer's index finger and little finger remain completely enclosed when the wear keeps the glove 21 on. The index finger 27 section comprises an elongated compartment 28 on an upper portion thereof, wherein the compartment 28 comprises a defined interior volume for receiving a laser pointer 41 therein. The laser pointer 41 is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape. In this regard, the compartment 41 is shaped and dimensioned to similarly in order to store the laser pointer 41 therein.

The compartment 28 includes an open proximal end 29 and a closed distal end 30 such that the laser pointer 41 can be inserted from the proximal end 29 of the compartment 28. The compartment 28 may be composed of a resilient material so as to keep the laser pointer 41 snugly in place. In some embodiments, the proximal end 29 of the compartment 28 includes a strap or a fastener to prevent the laser pointer 41 from falling out.

The compartment comprises a first opening 35 on a top portion thereof, wherein the first opening 35 is located at a substantial midpoint between the proximal end 29 and the distal end 30. The distal end 30 of the compartment 28 comprises a second opening 34. The laser pointer 41 comprises a light source at a front end 42 thereof, and one or more activation buttons or control buttons at a rear end 43 thereof and/or on a top portion thereof. In this way, the activation buttons or the control buttons on the rear end and top portion of the laser pointer 41 are accessible via the first opening 35 and the open proximal end 29. Additionally, the light source on the front end 42 of the laser pointer 41 can be aligned with the second opening 34 of the compartment 28 to allow the laser beam to shine therethrough.

The glove 21 further comprises a wrist opening 32 at a lower end 33 thereof. The lower end 33 includes a strap 22 that is adapted to tighten or loosen the wrist opening 32 so as to adjust the circumference thereof. The strap 22 remains secured in place via a fastener 31 thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 31 comprises hook and loop fasteners. In other embodiments, other fasteners such as snap buttons, buttons, buckles, and other suitable fasteners may be used.

The underside of the glove 21 includes a textured surface 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the textured surface 36 comprises a plurality of protrusions 40 for increasing grip. Each of the protrusions 40 may be substantially round in shape and are dimensioned so that they do not interfere with the use of the glove 21. The textured surface 36 may also comprise a high friction material so as to increase grip and to prevent bowling balls from slipping.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment of the present invention comprises a bowling wrist brace 44. The illustrated embodiment of the bowling wrist brace 44 is designed for a right-handed person, but the brace may also be designed for left-handed person in other embodiments. The bowling wrist brace 44 of the present invention comprises a first section and a second section, wherein each of the sections is composed of a rigid material and molded to partially cover the top portion of a wearer's hand and wrist.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first section is hingedly connected to the second section via a fastener, such that the two sections can swivel relative to each other. The first section is configured to be worn over the top of a wearer's hand and the second section is configured to be worn over the top of a wearer's wrist. The first section comprises a strap for securing the bowling wrist brace on the wearer's hand and wrist, wherein the strap is adjustable in length and can be secured in place via a fastener.

The first section includes an index finger section 45 having a compartment 46 thereon for a laser pointer 41. The index finger section 45 extends from the first section so that it can partially cover the wearer's index finger when worn. The compartment 46 includes a closed distal end and an open proximal end 47 for providing access to a defined interior volume therein. The compartment 46 includes an opening at the closed distal end. The opening is aligned with the front end 42 of the laser pointer 41 so that the laser beam from the light source at the front end 42 of the laser pointer 41 can shine through. The compartment 46 may further include additional openings along its surface for providing access to the activation buttons and/or control buttons disposed on the rear end 43 of the laser pointer 41.

In operation for either embodiment, the laser pointer 41 is activated so that the laser beam moves with the wearer's hand and so that it can point in different directions, away from the wearer's hand, based on how the wearer's hand and arm is oriented. In this way, the laser beam can show the wearer's arm swing and hand orientation while bowling. More specifically, the laser beam can project onto a bowling lane as the wearer is swinging his or her arm and releasing a bowling bowl. Thereafter, the wearer can compare the trajectory of the released bowling ball to the laser beam projected onto the bowling lane. By comparing the trajectory of the bowling ball to the laser beam, the wearer can make appropriate adjustments to his or her arm swing and/or hand movement to improve his or her bowling skills.

Because the primary purpose and intent of the present invention is to disclose a bowling glove and a bowling wrist brace that allows the wearer to view and analyze a trajectory of a bowling ball via a laser, the exact configuration of the laser pointer 41 is not of importance so long as the laser pointer 41 is shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly within the interior of the compartment 28, 46.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A bowling glove, comprising: a glove having a palm section with a thumbhole, an index finger section, a middle finger section, a ring finger section, and a little finger section; said index finger section having a compartment with a closed distal end and an open proximal end; said closed distal end comprising a first opening; wherein said compartment is configured to receive a laser pointer therein such that a light source of said laser pointer is aligned with said first opening to allow a laser beam from said light source to shine therethrough.
 2. The bowling glove of claim 1, wherein each terminal end of said middle finger section and said ring finger section comprises an opening.
 3. The bowling glove of claim 1, wherein an underside of said glove comprises a textured surface to facilitate gripping.
 4. The bowling glove of claim 3, wherein said textured surface comprises a plurality of round protrusions.
 5. The bowling glove of claim 1, further comprising a strap on a lower end of said glove; said strap having a fastener at a terminal end thereof; wherein said strap is configured to adjust a circumference of a wrist opening on said lower end of said glove.
 6. The bowling glove of claim 1, wherein said compartment further comprises a second opening disposed between said distal end and said proximal end; said second opening providing access to one or more activation or control buttons of said laser pointer.
 7. A bowling glove, comprising: a glove having a palm section with a thumbhole, a closed index finger section, an open middle finger section, an open ring finger section, and a closed little finger section; said index finger section having an elongated compartment with a closed distal end and an open proximal end; said closed distal end comprising a first opening; a laser pointer having a light source on a front end thereof; wherein said compartment is shaped and dimensioned to receive said laser pointer therein such that said light source of said laser pointer is aligned with said first opening to allow a laser beam from said light source to shine therethrough, thereby allowing a bowler to use said laser beam to view and analyze a trajectory of a bowling ball.
 8. The bowling glove of claim 7, wherein an underside of said glove comprises a textured surface to facilitate gripping.
 9. The bowling glove of claim 7, further comprising a strap on a lower end of said glove; said strap having a fastener at a terminal end thereof; wherein said strap is configured to adjust a circumference of a wrist opening on said lower end of said glove.
 10. The bowling glove of claim 7, wherein said compartment further comprises a second opening disposed between said distal end and said proximal end; said second opening providing access to one or more activation or control buttons of said laser pointer.
 11. A bowling wrist brace, comprising: a first section that is hingedly attached to a second section such that said first section can swivel with respect to said second section; said first section configured to partially cover a top of a wearer's hand; said second section configured to partially cover a top of a wearer's wrist; an index finger section attached to said first section; said index finger section having a compartment with a closed distal end and an open proximal end; said closed distal end comprising a first opening; wherein said compartment is configured to receive a laser pointer therein such that a light source of said laser pointer is aligned with said first opening to allow a laser beam to shine therethrough.
 12. The bowling wrist brace of claim 11, wherein said compartment further comprises a second opening disposed between said distal end and said proximal end; said second opening providing access to one or more activation or control buttons of said laser pointer. 